Leading up to the big Oct. 27 girls volleyball match, Mountain
Pointe and Desert Vista will be fundraising for the fourth year to
benefit the Side Out Foundation, which raises money for breast
cancer research and awareness.

The fundraising and volleyball event are part of Side Out's Dig
Pink, a nationwide rally for breast cancer.

The two Ahwatukee Foothills high schools, which trade off hosting
the game each year, brought in the most amount of money for a high
school or college last year when they combined to raise
$16,000.

They collected $21,000 the year before and $12,000 during the
inaugural year.

The Dig Pink volleyball matches have become a friendly rivalry, one
of the event's organizers said. A trophy is given to the school
that sells the most raffle tickets, but the girls know the
competition is, ultimately, to help out Side Out.

"It's a way to encourage the girls to get a feeling of community,"
said Bob Smith, chairperson for Desert Vista's Dig Pink. "It's a
fun rivalry."

This year's match will be played at Mountain Pointe High School,
4201 E. Knox Road, on Oct. 27.

Money is also raised through local business sponsorships and
community donations. Local middle schools Kyrene Centennial and
Kyrene Akimel A-al are also participating by fundraising on their
own and playing a separate girls volleyball game on Oct. 5 at
Centennial, 13808 S. 36th St.

Raffle tickets can be purchased for $5 each or $20 for five. Raffle
tickets are for multiple gift cards to local business sponsors and
other prizes.

Smith said that last year they raffled off 75 items worth at least
$75.